Rabies strikes again: 24th case in Hall

The latest episode occurred Saturday on County Line Road in North Hall, near the Banks County border.

Mike Ledford, director of Hall County Animal Control, said a raccoon came into contact with three dogs.

"The dogs cornered it under the porch," he said.

Authorities shipped the raccoon’s remains to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur, which confirmed Tuesday that the animal was infected with the rabies virus.

Ledford said one of the three dogs had been vaccinated against rabies and will be allowed to stay at the owner’s home. But the other two dogs were not current on their vaccinations, so they are under quarantine at the Hall County Animal Shelter.

An unvaccinated dog who is exposed to rabies must either stay in strict quarantine for six months or be euthanized.

The Humane Society of Hall County is sponsoring another rabies vaccination clinic from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Hall County Animal Shelter on West Ridge Road.

Shots cost $10. Dogs and cats must be at least 3 months old and must be on a leash or restrained in a carrier.

For information about the clinic, call the humane society at 770-532-6617.

To report a suspected case of rabies, call Animal Control at 770-531-6830.